Track for gymnasium climbing poles



Feb. 26, 1924. 1,485,135

F. ALBACH TRACK FOR GYMNASIUM CLIMBING POLES Filed April 21, 1922 4 sheets-sheen FQAN/f/AB/ICH,

Feb. g

A F. ALBACH TRACK ROR GYMNASIUM CLIMBING POLES Filed April 21. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 .Inf/@mrs FHA ,wf ALBA cH, @y

Feb. 26 1924.

F. ALBACH TRACK FOR GYMNASIUM CLIMBING POLES Filed April 21, 192.2 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Feb. 26, i924.

NETE STAT ALBACH, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR IOv FRED MEDART MANUFACTUR- *i l Means MrRat-OFFICE- ING COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI. s

TRACK Fon GYMNASIUM oLiMBinG rotas.

Application pled April 21, 1922. SeraI'No. 555,879.

To all whom if may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK ALBACH, a citizen of the United States of America, residing in the city of St. Louis and State of Missouri, h'ave invented certain new1 and useful Improvements in Tracks for Gymnasium Climbing Poles, of which the following is a specification.

rllhis invention rela-tes to overhead supporting tracks for the plurality of depending climbing poles used in gymnasium exercises,` and has for its various objects;-

To provide a structural formation and combination of parts in which la swinging end section of an overhead or trolley track is adapted to receive the series of depending climbing poles of the apparatus in closely arranged relation, when not required for use, to be swung against the wall of the'building out of the way and with the room cle'ar for other exercises.

To provide means whereby theswinging track section is guided, supported and locked in longitudinal alignment with the fixed or main track section.

To provide automatic means for preventing the unlocking of the track sections until all of the suspension trucks of the climbing poles are wholly within or upon the swinging track section.

To provide means whereby the series of suspension trucks are 'automatically confined in the swinging tra-ck section, as the same v swings away from the lined .track section, with such confinement prevailing until the track sections are brought intoV proper alignment, when such confinement is automatically released to permit of the proper extension and separation of the trucks and climbing poles for actual use.

To provide a structural formation and combination of parts by which a uniform spacing of the series of climbing poles inV proper separated condition is attained with an 'automatic locking of the parts in such condition, all as will hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings F ig. l, is a plan view illustrating the general arrangement of parts in the present invention, the respective positions of the swinging track section being shown in full and in dotted lines. f

Fig. 2, is an elevation of the same, the respective positions of the climbing poles having a like Yshowing in fun and 'dotted lines. i

free end of the swinging track section and the coupling head mounted thereon.

Fig. 4e, is a like View of the adjacent end of the fixed track section and the companion coupling head thereof.

Fig. 5, is a detail perspective view of the Yend trolley truck or carriage of the series.

, Fig. 6, is a detail side'elevation of the coupling heads of the two track sections in F 3, is aV detail perspective view of thel and latch mechanism. by which the same is i locked in place with the climbing poles properly spaced for actual use. Y

Fig. l1, is a side elevation of onevof the series of trucks or carriages other than end truck shown in Fig. l0.

the Y Fig. 12, is a detail transverse sectional eleration on line 12-12, Fig. 10.

Like reference numerals indicatelike parts Y in the several views.

Referring to the drawings, l designates the main stationary section of the trolley track xedly secured to an overhead girder 2 or like support Vin the ceiling of the building. Said track section is preferably of the rectangular tubular form shown, and having a central slotr or passage thelength of its bottom web, with the sides of said slot formed with upstanding flanges 3 to afford stiffness and provide side channels or track ways for the wheels of the series of trucks or carriages hereinafter described.

4l designates the companion swinging sec- -V tion of the track, of a similar Aformation to that of t-he stationary track section l above described, and having a tubular vertically depending extension 5 by which it is Vpivotally supported in bearing brackets 6.o-n the side wall of the room, the portions of the track section being braced in proper relation by diagonal struts 6 or other usual me'ans.

7 designates the series of depending climbing poles, the upper ends of which are pivlook otally secured to individual trucks or carriages now to be described.

With the exception of: the end carriage or truck of the series Which is next adjacent to the remote end of the stationary track sec- -tion 1 when the apparatus is arranged for actual use, the remainder ot the Series of trucks are of a counter-part. construction and preferably of the detail formation and arrangement illustrated in F ig. 11 in Which:-

8 designates the main body ot' the truck carrying a pair of transverse axles upon the ends vlof which are mounted track wheels 9 adapted to roll along the side channels or trackways of the track sections 1 and t heretofore described.

10 designates a central Web of a plate form depending trom the truck body 8 and provided at its lower end with an eye or loop 11 for pivotal engagement with an open eye or hook on the end oft a socket sleeve ixedly attached to the upper end ot a climbing pole 7.

12 designates sections ot chain or like flexible means extending between adjacent truck bodies 8 and adapted to prevent an undue separat-ion between said truck bodies and attain an even spacing et the series ol? climbing poles 7 when the parts are positioned tor use.

1 3 and 14 designate bumper heads on the ends ot vthe truck bodies 8, which in the operation otl pulling the series of trucks and climbing poles carried thereby into an inactive position by the pull rope or connection hereinafter described, are adapted by Contact of the forward bumper of one truck with the rear bumper to a truck in advance. to move the series of trucks along the track sections 1 and 4, and attain a uniform close relation oi the same on the swinging tra-ck section Ll Without any tendency to one truck and Vpole moving past another.

The end truck or carriage above referred to, and which is illustrated in Figs. 57 S and 10, is of the same general construction as that above described, with the addition ot means and mechanisms as follows:-

15 designates an angle lever pivoted an end ot the truck body 8, With its longitudinal arm having a hooked end 16. adapted tor engagement with 'a similarly formed latch block 17 secured in the end ot the stationary trac-k section 1. and adapted to prevent a retrograde movement ot the trucks until a release of said engagement is effected. The vertical arm orP the lever 15 is att-ached to one end oi" a lflexible connection or pull rope 1S, which extends horizontally along the sta-- tionary and swinging track sect-ions 17 is and down 4through the tubular pivot extension 5 of the track section i Within convenient reach ot the operator, so that he may pull the entire series of trucks Wholly into or upon the swinging track section 4, when it instales is desired to move the climbing poles out ot the way aider the use ot the same.

19 designates a lateral lug on the loiver part ot the web 10 et the truck body 8 for operative engagement 'with the hereinafter described auxiliary locking`- mechanisms of the track sections.

20 designates a. ltmgitudinal shoe secured to the lower pertion ol? the vfeb 10 aforesaid and hazing a tapering end so as tc readily pass between the liereinatter described pair or" p sit-ioning rollers yon the swinging track :vertan and adaiitcd io lic-ld 'glie truck from any swaying in vement while the atoresaid lateral lug i9 is tunctioning.

21 and 2 signates companion coupling ot rectangular yoke torni. tit-ted to the adpicent` ends ot the track sections 1 and 4i atoresaid. and havinV slots or passages in theiriiottoin webs registering with the slots or passages ot said track sections.

in the preferred construction shown, the end ot the coupling head 21 extends a distance beyond the end ot the stationary track section l to which it is attached, and the extended portion has forward side Wall removed. to pro vide an entry Way for the end of the swii'iging trac-k section 4, which for such purpose extends a distance beyond its coupling head 22 as illustrated in Figs. 2

and 7. in such construction, with the end ot the swinging track section 4: in place in the aforesaid extension ot the coupling 21, said track section et is substantially supported in aligned relation to the companion sta tionary track section 1.

23 designates an inclined lip on the tor- Ward `end ot lthe bottom web ot the aforesaid extension oi the coupling head 21. adapted to guide the sni'iiging track meinber i into place.

24 designates a combined inclined strike rail and recessed keeper on the 'forward side of the coupling head 2l adjacent to the open side of its extension and adapted for voperative and holding engage-ment with the main spring latch bolt hereinafter described.

25 designates a longitudinal lug on the forward side of the couplingl head 21 tor operative engagement with the transversely moving gate bar or bolt hereinafter described.

26 designates the main latch bolt of the present construction, moving long'tudinaliy in guides on the forward side ot the coupling head 22 aforesaid, and operated in one direction by a spring 27, to engagement with the strike rail and keep r 2li aforesaid.

28 designates a bell crank lover journalled on the coupling head 22 in adjacent relation to the latch bolt 26 with one of its arms in operative engagement with said latch bolt to impart a retractile or release movement thereto against the resilient. stress ot the spring 27 aforesaid. The other arm of the bell crank lever 28 has a shackle connection with a pull rope 29 by which the lever and latch bar are operated, with said pull rope adapted to pull the swinging track section 4 out of line with the stationary track section 1.

30 designates an auxiliary latch bolt having movement in right' angle relation to the main latch bolt 26 and adapted to engage in a recess in a side face of said bolt 26 and lock it against movement until a release of such engagement is automatically effected by means hereinafter described.

31 designates a spring, the tendency of which is to move the auxiliary latch bolt 30 out of the above described locking engagement with the main latch bolt.

32 designates a semi-rotary cam ring associated with the auxiliary latch bolt 30, and having a cam formation on its upper end adapted for operative engagement with al lateral stud or projection 33 on said latch bolt, and adapted in one position to move and hold the latch bolt 30 in locking engagement with the main latch bolt 26 aforesaid. In the other position of the ring 32 its cam formation permits a descent ofthe st-ud 33- and auxiliary latch bolt 30 under the stress of the spring 31 and release the above described locking engagement of the latch bolts.

34 designates a forked arm fixed on the cam ring 32 and extending laterally into the path of the heretofore described lateral lug l 19 of the end truck body 8, and in the-preferred construction herein illustrated, the functioning of the parts is as follows As the end truck 8 with its lug 19 moves from the stationary track section 1 onto the swinging track section 4, the lug 19 contacts with one branch of the forked arm 34 to impart a semi-rotary movement to the cam ring 32, to in turn permit a downward movement of the auxiliary latch bolt 30 from an existing locking engagement with the main latch bolt 26. With such release of the main latch bolt 26, the manual retraction of the same can be effected, to permit the swinging of the track section 4 `into a position against the wall of the building. In such operation the presence of all the trucks 8, 8 in the swinging track section 4 is insured.

35 designates a pair of positioning rollers secured tothe under face of the coupling head 22, at the sides of its longitudinal slot or passage and in proximity to the auxiliary latch bolt 30 and the operating mechanism thereof. The rollers 35 are adapted to have bearing against the heretofore described longitudinal shoe 20 of the end truck 8 to hold and guide the same against lateral tilt during the operative engagement of the lug 19 with the operating mechanism of the auxiliary bolt 30 above described.

36 designates a gate or'bar arranged to have movement across the interior of the coupling head 22 and act as a barrier therefor. In the preferred construction shown, the gate or bar 36 has sliding movement in guides on the end of the coupling head 22,l

and has movement in a direction across the interior of the head by spring 37. f

38 designates a stud or lug on the side of the gate or bar 36, adaptedv for abutmentagainst the heretofore described lug 25 of the coupling head 21 on the iixed track section 1, so that when the coupling head 22 of the swinging track sect-ion 4 moves to an aligned position with the stationary track section 1, the gate or bar 36 will be held stationary while the 'coupling head 22 of the swinging track section 4 upon which it is mounted completes its movement into longi-V tudinal alignment with the coupling head 21 with its interior left free and unobstructed by said gate or bar. ln like manner an initial movement of the Vswinging track section 4 away from the stationary track section 1 permits the gate or bar V36 to resume its position across the interior of the coupling head 22 into its normal condition as a barrier and prevent any accidental retrograde movement of the pole carrying trucks8, 8 occupying said swinging track section 4.

The operation and functioning of thevarious parts and mechanisms ofthe present construction have been set forth in connection with the description ofthe same, the general co-operation of the features and mechanisms is as follows With the track sections. 1 and 4 locked in an aligned relation by the main latch bolt 26, and said latch bolt in turn locked against` movement by the auxiliary latch bolt 30 the series of climbing poles 7 and their trucks 8, 8 can be spaced along the track sections for use in the required gymnastic exercises,}

and such spaced relation will be maintained by an engagement of the bell crank lever 15 .and its hook 16 of the end truck 8 with the latch block or lug 17 of the stationary track section 1.

an associated.

SOl

its described engagement with the latch lug Y 17, and a continued pull by the attendant on the pull rope 18 will move the series of pole carrying trucks 8, 8 along the main track section 1 and wholly into the swinging track section 4. end track 8 into the track section 4 the auxiliary latch bolt 30 is automatically moved into ts'release position in the manner herc- Viith the movement of the'lastor rotore described leaving the main latch bolt 26 free to be released in a succeeding operation, to-Wit:

By a pulling action on the part of the attendant upon the pali rope 29 the main latch bolt 26 is moved and held ont of its engagement with the coupling head of the stationary track section l, citer which a continued pull on the. rope 29 may be used to more said swinging track section and contained pole car "c i tion against the Wall ot' the b of thc Way un*L il aga"- initial increment ot ne traf` from the si nary track se cr bar 3G n o es automatically i terier et the. coupling l cidental escape or tne swinging track section el alignment with said station-:nj

ont itlitzh an tion.

Having thns iiilly descril ed :fi invention what l claim as ner: and desire i ,ecrire by Letters Patent, is

l. In a pole climbing apbination of a staticnary swinging track section ada aligned relation with the tionary section, a latch mechanism adapted to lock said sections in aligned relation, a serior" trucks having movement upon said tracks, means or limiting the degree ot separation ot' said trucks, the swinging track section having a ns, the com r section, a

- length suiiicient to store the series of trucks in a. closely arranged condition, and a series of climbing poles suspended from said trucks.

2. In a pole climbing apparatus, the combination of a stationary track section, a

swinging track sect-ion adapted to move into aligned relation with the stationary section, a main latch mechanism adapted to lock said sections in aligned relation, an auxiliary latch mechanism adapted to lock the main latch mechanism in an engaged condition, a series or" trucks having movement on said tracks, means on one ot said tracks for operating said auxiliary latch mechanism, and a series of climbing poles suspended from said trucks.

3. In a pole climbing apparatus, the coinbination ot a stationary track section, a swinging track section adapted to move into aligned relation with the stationary section, a latch mechanism adapted to lock said sections in aligned relation` a series ot trucks having movement on said track sections, a movable bar or gate arranged transversely oir and adapted to more across the end swinging track section as the same swings away from its alignment with the stationary rack section, and a series of climbing poles suspended from said trucks,

4. In a pole climbing apparatus, the combination of astationary track section, a

the

nasales swinging track section adapted to more into aligned relation with the stationary section, a latch mechanism adapted to lock said sections in aligned relation, a series ot trucks having movement on said track sections, a latch lerici' carried on an end truck orn the series, a latch bar at the remote end ot thc stationary track section 'for engagement with said latch lever, a flexible pullconneo tion attached to said latch lever. and a series et climbing poles suspended from said trucks.

c. in a pole clinicing apparatus, the combination of a staticnary track section, a ging track section adapted to more into t d relation with the stationary section, a latch mechanism adapted to lock said sections in aligned relation, a series of trucks having movement on said track sections, a. movable bar or arranged transversely ci and adapted to move across the end ot the swinging track section as the saine swings array from its alignment Yith the stationary track section, latch bar carried on an end truck ot the series, latch bar at the remote. end or the stationary track section for engagement with said latch lever, a flexible pull connectie-n attached to said latch lever, and a. ser'cs of climbing poles suspended 'from said trucks.

6. ln a pole climbing apparatus, the combination of a stationary track section, a sivingii track section adapted to move into aligned relation with the stationary section, a latch mechanism adapted to lock said sections in aligned relation, a series ot trucks having movement on said track sections, a latch bar or gate slidingly mounted in the ond ot the swinging track section and adapted to move across the same, a spring tend ing to move the bar or gate in one direction, means on the stationary track section for moving the bar or gate in the other direction, and a series ot climbing poles snspended from said trucks.

7. ln a pole climbing apparatus, the combination ot a stationary track section, a swinging track section adapted to more into aligned relation with said stationary section, the track sections having a longitudinally slotted formation, a tubular vertical extension on an end of the swinging track section adapted for pivotal engagement with brackets on the Wall of a building, a latch mechanism adapted to lock the. track scctions in aligned relation, a series ot trucks moving in said track sections, a series of climbing poles suspended from said trucks, and a deXible pull connection attached to an end truck of the series and extending longitudinally Within the track sections and down through the vertical extension of the swinging track section.

8. n a pole climbing apparatus, the combination of a stationary track section, a

swinging track section adapted to move into aligned relation with said stationary section, the track sections having a longitudinally slotted formation, a tubular vertical extension on an end of the swinging track section adapted for pivotal engagement with brackets on the wall of a building, a latch mechanism adapted to lock the track sections in aligned relation, a series ot trucks moving in said track sections, a series oi climbing poles suspended from said trucks, means for limiting the separation of the trucks, and a ilexible pull connection attached to the end truck of the series and extending longitudinally Within the track sections and down through the vertical extension of the swing.- ing track section.

9. In a pole climbing apparatus, the combination of a stationary track section, a swinging track section adapted to move into aligned relation with said stationary section, the track sections having a longitudinally slotted formation, a tubular vertical extension on an end of the swinging track section adapted for pivotal engagement with brackets on the Wall of a building, a latch mechanism adapted to lock the track sections in aligned relation, a series of trucks movingl in said track sections, a series of climbing poles suspended from said trucks, a latch lever carried on an end truck of the series, a latch bar at the remote end of the stationary track section for engagement with said latch lever, and a flexible pull connection attached to said latch lever and extending longitudinally Within the track sections and down through the verticalextension of the swinging track section.

10. In a pole climbing apparatus, the combination of a stationary track section, a swinging track section adapted to move into aligned relation with said stationary section, the track sections having a longitudinally slotted formation, a tubular vertical extension on an end of the swinging track section adapted for pivotal engagement withbrackets on the Wall of a building, a latch mechanism adapted to lock the track sections in aligned relation, a series of trucks moving in said track sections, a series oi climbing poles suspended from said trucks, means for limiting the separation of the trucks, a latch lever carried on end truck oi the series, a latch bar at the remote end of the stationary track section for engagementJ with said latch lever, and a flexible pull connection attached to said latch lever and extending longitudinally Within the track sections and down through the vertical extension of the swinging track section.

11. In a pole climbing apparatus, the combination of a stationary track section, a swinging track section adapted to move into aligned relation With said stationary section, the track sections having a longitudinally slotted rormation, a tubular vertical extension on an end of the swinging track section adapted for pivotal engagement with brackets on the Wall of a building, coupling heads mounted on the adjacent ends of the track sections, one of said heads having an open sided extension forming a receiving socket for an end of the other track section .extending beyond its Acoupling head, a latch mechanism adapted to lock the track sections in aligned relation, a series ot trucks moving in said track sections, a series of climbing poles suspended from said trucks, and a flexible pull connection attached to an end truckof the series and extending longitudinally Within the track sections and down through the vertical extension vof the swinging track section.

swinging track section adapted to move into aligned relation With said stationary section, the track sections having a longitudinally slotted formation, a tubular vertical extension on an end of the swingingtrack section adapted for pivotal .engagement with brackets on the wall of a building, coupling heads mounted on v the adjacent ends of the track sections, one of said heads having an open/sided extension forming a receiving socket for an end of the other track section extending beyond its coupling head, the bottom web oi said extension `having an inclined forward end,` a latch mechanism adapted to lock the track sections in aligned relation, a series of trucks moving in said track sections, a series of climbing poles suspended from said trucks, and a flexible pull connection attached to an end truck of the series and extending longitudinally Within the track sections and down through the vertical extension of the swinging track section.

13. In a pole climbing apparatus, the combination of a stationary track section, a swinging track section adapted to move into aligned relation to the stationary section, a series of trucks having movement on said tracks, means for limiting the extent of separation of said trucks, the swinging track section having a length suiiicient to store the series of trucks in a closely arranged condition, a latch bolt adapted to lock said sections in aligned relation, a bell crank lever operatively connected to said latch bolt, and a ilexible pull connection attached to said lever.

14. In a pole climbing apparatus, the cornbination of a stationary track section, a swinging track section adapted to move into aligned relation with the stationary section, a latch mechanism adapted to lock said sections in aligned relation, a series of trucks having movement upon said tracks, means for limiting the degree of separation of said trucks, bumper heads on the end of the trucks adapted to impose uniform spacing on said trucks in their movement along the track sections, the swinging track sec- Y tion having a length suliicient to store the series of trucks in a closely arranged condition, and a series of climbing poles suspended from said trucks.l

15. In a pole climbing apparatus, the combination of a stationary track section, a swinging track section adapted to move into aligned relation with the stationary section, a main latch mechanism adapted to lock said sections in aligned relation, an auxiliary latch mechanism adapted to lock the main latch mechanism in an engaged condition, the same comprising a latch bolt, a spring tending to move said bolt in one direction and a semi-rotary cam adapted to move said bolt in the other direction, a series of trucks having movement on the track sections aforesaid, a series of climbing poles suspended from said trucks, and operative connections between said cam and an end truck of the series for automatically turning said cam.

:16. In a pole climbing apparatus, the combination of a stationary track section, a swinging track section adapted to move into aligned relation with the stationary section, a main latch mechanism adapted to lock said sections in aligned relation, an auxiliary latch mechanism adapted to lock the main latch mechanism in an engaged condition, the same comprising a latch bolt, a spring tending to move said bolt in one direction and a semi-rotary cam adapted naamw to move said bolt in the other direction, a series of trucks having movement on the track sections aforesaid, a series of climbing poles suspended from said trucks, and operative connections between said cam and an end truck of the series for automatically turning said cam, the same comprising a forked arm extending laterally from Said cam, and a lateral lug on said end truck adapted jor intermittent operative engagement with said cam arm.

17. In a pole climbing apparatus, the combination of a stationary track section, a swinging track section adapted to move into aligned relation with the stationary section, a main latch mechanism adapted to lock said sections in aligned relation, an auxiliary latch mechanism adapted to lock the main latch mechanism in an engaged condition the same comprising a latch bolt, a spring tending to move said bolt in one direction and semi-rotary cam adapted to move said bolt in the other direction, a series of trucks having movement on the track sections aforesaid, a series of climbing poles suspended from said trucks, operative connections between said cam and an end truck e of the series for automatically turning said cam, positioning rollers mounted on the underside of the swinging track section, and a longitudinal shoe on the end truck aforesaid, adapted to move' between said rollers and hold the truck against lateral sway.

Signed at St. Louis, Missouri, this 18th day of April A. D. 1922.

FRANK ALBACH. 

